Game in a nutshell: Bryce Harper did his part, going 3-for-4 with a pair of doubles off the right-field wall. Then Ian Desmond finished the deal, crushing a two-run, walk-off homer off J.J. Putz to lift the Nationals to a dramatic victory. Harper twice came within inches of hitting his first career home run, scored a key run with his hustle and dazzled in the field again. His leadoff double in the ninth set the stage for Desmond to be the hero and snap the Nationals' five-game losing streak.

Hitting highlight: With the anticipation and pressure of his home debut a thing of the past, Harper was free to go out and just play a ballgame. And what a game he played. The 19-year-old beat out a little dribbler in the second inning. He missed his first career homer by inches in the fourth, settling instead for an RBI double. Moments later, he scored by knocking the ball out of catcher Miguel Montero's glove. He even made a barehanded catch of a flyball in center while falling to theRead more »

Ian had some interesting words: he credited Frank Robinson with telling him "watch watch watch the pitcher" — Ian, batting fourth in the inning, noticed that Putz was pitching a bit up in the zone, and so Ian was waiting on it. It came. Then: bang-zoom

Just back from the game. Fantastic win. Ian's homer looked like it was too high and then it just kept going and going. And by the time I looked up at him after following the ball, he was almost around the bases. He was pumped! The small but enthusiastic crowd went crazy.Harper was the star of the game though. Both of his doubles were crushed, and how he managed to score on from the second on that play behind second, well, I can't wait to see the replay. And his arm is already scaring third base coaches into being conservative. As Desmond said, "the kid's good."

We are quite fortunate to have this team, and this set of players, my friends. Enjoy it. Savor it. Revel in it. The Bryce Harper Show will be the cherry on top of our ice cream sundae for years to come. G Y F N G!

I have a (maybe stupid) question. Harper had his batting gloves in his hands the whole time he was on second base. What happens if he drops one running to third and a D-backs player slips on it–is that interference or something? (I mean, not when Ian hits a walkoff homerun, but in general).

Way-too-small-but-not-necessarily-meaningless stat of the evening:Harper: BA .385; OPS 1.015Does he lead the Nats in almost every offensive category in the last four games? Most hits, most doubles, most xb-hits, most runs scored, most RBI's? (I haven't checked, just asking)

Patience is a virtue. At this point if its me I'd swap Desmond and Harper in the batting order. I'd bat Harper first not in the middle … not yet. The operative word again is yet. Until more prospects develop to join the fun over the next 2 years.Why? Quite simple. 1.) He looks like he is about to break out looking at some of the balls he was able to reach and crush. The rest of the lineup is still pretty meh. And consider Desmond saying that Harper was ** the spark? *** This has to scare the bejesus out of opposing pitchers the way H-Rod scares opposing batters. Brady Anderson was asked for the best lead-off hitter prototype and he basically picked guys like a Pujols, Votto, etc. because they had that power element which frightened pitchers. The pitchers and opposing manager will never know what Harper is going to do. He might surprise them with a bunt.He might be the ticket to getting the rest of the lineup out of its funk. Analogous to the way Strasburg has raised the pitching level of all the starters.2.) If Harper does start to annihilate and tear through opposing pitching, they are then going to try the "cute stuff". Perhaps even unintentional to intentional walks. Last thing you want so you bat Harper lead off and they will mostly have to pitch to him. He'll see the most pitches, and learn from that experience. 3.) Harper has plenty of speed for the lead off spot, in fact he beat out an infield hit tonight. He's not afraid to take a walk unlike Desmond and Espinosa.

Natslady no need to worry about the Braves record in the beginning of May. Makes no sense. Its a marathon not a sprint remember? Teams should only be worrying about preparing themselves for the post AS run for the playoffs. Working through the kinks …Its a shame Rendon got injured … he could have been another key to a stoked offense perhaps even toward the end of this year. Oh well, Strasburg and Harper sure look like a great team-up of Baseball superheroes. I guess we should be thanking our lucky stars and the horrendous losing records …

Ok, just watched the replay of Harper scoring on Ramos's hit. We had quite a debate a few days ago about Hairston's "swat" at the ball when he scored on Harper's first incredible throw. Can someone who watched both replays explain to me how Hairston's play was illegal and Harper's was legal. (Remember, it turned out that Ramos and Davey complained about Hairston trying to knock the ball out of his glove, not about him trying to swat the ball when it was on the ground.) Thank you.FP on the replay said, "that's legal, you can do that." I thought Davey was saying on Saturday that it isn't.

Sorry, DC Wonk, but the Mets were in first place right out of the gate. Nats tied them on 4/11 when Strasburg outdueled Santana, and haven't looked back Hmm . . . ok, how about this: Nats have been in first place every day during _their_ season (meaning: since the Nats 1st game).Does that work?

I am currently of the opinion that Desmond, Lombo, Zimm, Morse, Harper, Werth, Laroche, Ramos will be the game one playoff lineup. And Gio will get the start. And the sun will shine, birds will sing, and the park will be full.

No, no, no. Switching Desmond and Harper in the batting order would minimize both of them.Based on what? I don't see any justification for the comment?Desmond doesn't walk his OBP is almost a flat-line .300? Look at Harper's. Both Rizzo and Johnson have raved about Harper's batting eye. Desmond belongs where Espinosa belongs.Harper would be more effective as a "spark" at the top of the lineup. Its certain he'll get chances to drive in runs because he'll come to bat the most?

Was at the game. Harper is fantastic – such hustle – such maturity. Nats need a new hitting coach. Nady should be released. Davy shouldn't put anyone in the lineup with a .125 batting average. Play Tyler Moore. Get Jason Werth some hitting lessons.

You can see him swiping at (and missing) the rolling ball here.whatsanattau said… Well Hairston did try to do something wrong it was very clear. He swiped at the ball a second time and if he had hit a live ball in play it would have been interference. May 03, 2012 12:03 AM

Natsfan1a..he may have been clawing at the dirt triying to get up so he could touch the plate..it was VERY CLEAR?…perhaps he realized he was about to touch the ball and moved his hand away from it..he is a professioanl athlete who hits 95mph fastballs…wouldn't he have the hand eye coordination to touch a ball moving as fast as a toy train? do you think he tried to touch it but missed>? give it up

I was at the game last night. And I am starting to wonder if Harper is just, something, different. Something really special, like a Jordan, Montana, or Ali. I am really starting to wonder.When Espy had ten homers before Memorial Day his rookie season–the first second baseman in MLB history to do so, I wondered if he was something special too. It looks like he is not.Harper has king-size presence. I watched him standing in center last night and thought how lucky we are to have him. Usually, when we've seen greatness at RFK or Nats Park (Griffey, Randy Johnson, Bonds, Chipper) it was just passing through. I believe he is developing by the day. I saw him in spring training the last two years and saw him in Hagerstown. But I had no idea he had the kind of arm he's shown off since being called up.We just might be looking at the genuine article here, and it is incredibly exciting.